Titleist Vokey Spin Milled Wedge
TaylorMade will be releasing two new drivers. Yes, TaylorMade. Yes, two "new" drivers. The "R11S" which seems to have an additional feature of being able to adjust loft by 1.5 degrees while retaining its usual FCT, MVT and ASP. It will now come with a bigger head of 460 cc with the same length of 45.75 inches. This is interesting and can be considered a future acquisition if you think the previous R11 was very good. Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0Wy9lfEoX4 (Sergio Garcia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UC4XGDu5oU (Dustin Johnson)
The other driver is the new "Rocketballz". This is slightly longer at 46 inches and by the name of "Rocketballz" I think it tells the whole intent but probably an updated Burner in disguise. Watch:
We are not here to discuss drivers today. The first thing I learned about Titleist was all the rave about their wedges designed by Bob Vokey. (Please see a previous article I wrote on wedges and Bob Vokey).
The Titleist Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges are the first of Titleist Vokey wedges to conform to USGA's new grooves rule where C-C means Condition of Competition. Master craftsman Bob Vokey worked with Titleist research experts and Tour professionals to get the results for this wedge that offers shot control and optimum performance within the new guidelines.
This wedge is built to produce a higher launch and lower spin for more run than previous Vokey wedges due to the limitation of groove size as allowed by USGA. Made from soft 8620 carbon steel, the club head features a flat face and a new cutting technique is used to get closer to the specified limit and creating a face surface that will provide extra spin and you will find this most noticeable on partial shots as grooves play a less important part here. The face is CNC-machined with a series of milled micro-edges cut into the face so as to create more friction during a shot.
They come in 17 different variation of loft and bounce and comes in three non-glare Tour-chrome finish, a dark black nickel finish and the oil can finish. (The latter will wear off and get rusty).
They look entirely like those of past seasons. Each wedge design is based on Bob's experience working with the world's best players with the sole design hand ground by Bob from continuous input from Tour players. Vokey Design wedges have been the PGA Tour's most played wedges since 2004. They are carefully crafted with maximum allowable draft angles and edge radii for more consistent performance. Spin-milled grooves usually produce medium trajectory and high spin conforming to the rules of golf until 2004. Spin-milled C-C grooves produce a higher trajectory with medium spin and conform to the 2010 rules of golf for grooves.
I have played quite a number of wedges over the years and my favourite has been Cleveland where I first used the classic 588 Tour Action followed by CG10, CG12 and CG14. Then I tried the TaylorMade RAC Satin TP which were all very good wedges.
Titleist wedges are noticeably different and when holding it in your hands you will immediately feel the weight. The shaft and therefore the club is heavy. The Dynamic Gold shaft is a heavy-weighted steel shaft with a high flex point that produces a lower and more penetrating trajectory with lower spin for better control. You will get plenty of weight feedback.
Compared to other clubs which are mostly lighter, it means you will need a window period to get used to it. The problem with playing wedges is that lots of golfers have a tendency to accelerate on the back swing more aggressively and then unwittingly decelerate on the down swing causing an awry shot because they do not trust the distance they are going to get especially if it is a front pin.
Having a heavier weighted wedge means that you do not have to force a thing. Just lift it up for the back swing normally and let gravity do the job on the down swing feeling the weight throughout the swing. I find that with proper full shots or even on partial shots, you could see and feel the ball spinning. This translates to an ability to attack a pin if you put this equipment in the hands of a skilled short game player as you can charge it at the flag and expect it to drop, check and stop within a dime. But you will need quite a bit of practice to gain confidence as you will need to believe in what it can do plus some practice.
This will be equally effective from the bunker once you get the feel and hang of the weight right. It comes in a D5 probably a slightly heavier swing weight than others at D3 or D4. Titleist wedges are well known for producing lots of spin and the micro edges on the face of the club will really cut and spin the ball so much so that after several full shots, you will find that the ball can be scuffed, especially if it is a Titleist Pro V 1 or Pro V 1 x due to it being a very soft ball with a soft cover.
Eventually, if you can master this wedge, it could be like throwing darts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmTnS1P939A
Golf as in life, play as it lies.
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